A French fry shortage is now expanding into a tomato shortage. The U.S. production of potatoes had been expanding even as the acres harvested declined due to increased yields. However, last year’s crop was reduced in size by high heat, and the crop being harvested this month was delayed by a cool spring that slowed growth. The Russet Burbank and Shepody varieties grown in Canada and the U.S. are prized globally for frying due to their low water content.   With global demand for French fries now expanding, the supply of potatoes and processing needs to be expanding, yet it has been flat at best. Now adding to the food supply concerns is a 5 to 10 percent cut in California tomato production due to this year’s droug...

TAGS – Softs, North America